Anybody have DIY injection cleaning experience?

[A930Rocket]

Anybody have DIY injection cleaning experience?

With 137k on the clock on my 2014 F150, I want to do an injector and intake clean. Having looked online, there is a wide variety of options, from gas tank additives to bottom/top dollar pneumatic units.

I need to do my wife and son’s Tahoe’s as well. Seems like doing it myself will pay for itself, rather than take them to a shop. Plus I’m a fool for tools. 🤪

The Chinese and OTC units are not reviewed well on Amazon and it’s amazing what the adapters does to the price. I only need a 2-3 adapters.

Also, what cleaning fluid works the best: B and G, Seafoam, etc.?

Fred and Bob, are the experts, but anyone else have experience?

Thanks

[Baz]

How expensive is a new set?

The reason I ask is my '83 911 is under restoration and I bought a new set of Bosch injectors for it for what I consider a relatively good price.

The whole set was less than $100, IIRC.

[A930Rocket]

$225 for eight injectors, but that’s one vehicle.

My thinking is I can clean multiple cars with it. Not just the injectors, but the intake, valves, etc. Once I have the tool, the cleaner is $10 per car. It will pay for itself quickly vs having them done at a shop.

Edit: On my 911 and 930, I used to jam the brake cleaner straw into the injectors until I got a good spray pattern. It made a big difference in the flow pattern.

[john70t]

I have two Mityvacs.
Essential for bleeding brakes or removing small amounts of fluids or checking something that operates off vaccuum.
The container is a bit on the small side tho.
They sent me a rebuild kit free of charge. Great service.

[craigster59]

On my LandCruiser I used to pour Seafood into my brake booster vacuum line (actually it would suck it in) and then when it would smoke like heck I'd shut off the engine, let it sit for a few hours and then start it back up and drive around and fog up the neighborhood.

I'd usually change the spark plugs afterward also.

[A930Rocket]

One guy uses the seafoam and then the same equivalent of water to “steam clean” the cylinder/heads.

I did see that when I blew a head gasket on my 240Z, so is there truth to it? Obviously, you don’t pour it all at one time, but slowly, like the cleaner.

Edit: I just remembered I had a device to flush an HVAC system I might be able to use. I can use the regulator off the compressor and with the right adapters, it might work.

What can go wrong...?

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by craigster59

On my LandCruiser I used to pour Seafood into my brake booster vacuum line (actually it would suck it in) and then when it would smoke like heck I'd shut off the engine, let it sit for a few hours and then start it back up and drive around and fog up the neighborhood.

I'd usually change the spark plugs afterward also.

What kind of seafood did you use ? Lobster or shrimp ? 😁

[legion]

I recall that a forum member rigged up something with a bike pump, a 9 volt battery, and some Gumout about 10 years ago...

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

What kind of seafood did you use ? Lobster or shrimp ? 😁

This is what I was thinking! It is a funny typo. I make constant typos, but mine are from just bad typing.

[sammyg2]

If I were you, (and you're glad I'm not) I'd forget that fancy mumbo jumbo and just pour several ounces of techron in the tank at every fill-up til the bottle was empty.

[Scott Douglas]

Funny, I was going to post that my on-going cleaning process is just running Chevron gas in both my cars.

[craigster59]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

This is what I was thinking! It is a funny typo. I make constant typos, but mine are from just bad typing.

Auto correct on my phone. Costco used to sell Techron in small cases but I haven't seen it there in awhile.

[Jrboulder]

I thought these tools were made so service advisors could sell more unneeded work.

[Bigtoe32067]

Originally Posted by craigster59

On my LandCruiser I used to pour Seafood into my brake booster vacuum line (actually it would suck it in) and then when it would smoke like heck I'd shut off the engine, let it sit for a few hours and then start it back up and drive around and fog up the neighborhood.

I'd usually change the spark plugs afterward also.

This is the best way and most economical also. The canister kits do essentially the same thing but cost a lot more.

[A930Rocket]

For even distribution/atomization, how is it done pouring the *seafood in the vacuum line? Seems like it would be sketchy results. I’m looking to clean the injectors and intake/heads of carbon.

If I can rig up something with what I have, I’ll give it a go for grins. Like I said, I’m a fool 🤪 for new tools and gadgets.

*see what I did there? 😂

[SCadaddle]

While I haven't tried Kano Labs product "Kreen", I might be inclined to try it on their "risk free trial offer" and get a can of AeroKroil (that I have used with great results) for free.



Engine Cleaners

[fastfredracing]

Originally Posted by Jrboulder

I thought these tools were made so service advisors could sell more unneeded work.

This is my thought on it too. The last time I cleaned any injectors, was at a VW dealer, and they were CIS.
I have sent a few sets out to be cleaned and balanced. in my time, or replaced one faulty injector, or a whole set, just depends on the situation
I wish I could have scarfed up that VW tool. Big hydraulic machine with a hand lever, that would push solvent right through the injectors. You could watch the stream improve and atomize into a nice mist .
I bet JW and Porsche Tech remember them

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by Jrboulder

I thought these tools were made so service advisors could sell more unneeded work.

That is my opinion also.
Modern cars run so cleanly, and modern gasoline is so clean and pure, that I doubt any internal cleaning is necessary or effective unless a significant mechanical problem contaminates the system and makes it get dirty.

On an old carbureted engine yes, but on modern computerized engines? Skeptical.

[john70t]

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

For even distribution/atomization, how is it done pouring the *seafood in the vacuum line? Seems like it would be sketchy results. I’m looking to clean the injectors and intake/heads of carbon.

You will probably need a fuel additive to clean the fuel injector circuit, separately.

Same for the throttle body which contains the delicate electronic MAF wire if equipped.
Harsh chemicals like Seafoam may affect that. Be warned. Chasing ghosts is tedious.

Seafoam or other dribbled into a manifold hose (downstream of that), will hit the carbon buildup on the back of valves and then the combustion chamber and rings.
It will not clean particles which can't be easily dissolved.
A little water vapor in a hot engine helps the process.

Just keep in mind that all those chemicals and big chunks of dislodged carbon are going to get trapped in the Catalytic Converter.
And the drain hole for it..
Which keeps water and rust from building up in the exhaust system..

[RWebb]

the VW Vanagon guys see crummy dirty fuel injectors all the time

I know, I know - it's a very primitive engine computer (and besides VW; and BESIDES THAT VW owners...)

I say Techron the things or pull them out and send to a cleaning service.

* I did just buy the Kroil "Flomax" stuff but really just to get the penetrant...